Father, Stepmother, and Uncle Found Guilty in Sara Sharif Murder Case
In a significant verdict in the decade-long Sara Sharif murder case, a jury has found all three accused—Sara’s father, stepmother, and uncle—guilty.
The jury, comprising nine women and three men, declared Urfan Sharif and Beinsh Batool guilty of murdering the 10-year-old, while Faisal Malik, Sara’s uncle, was convicted of causing or allowing her death. High Court Judge Justice Cavanagh, who presided over the trial, described the case as “very stressful and traumatic.” Sentencing for the three will take place next Tuesday.
The accused—41-year-old Urfan Sharif, 29-year-old Beinsh Batool, and 28-year-old Faisal Malik—were arrested upon their return to the UK from Pakistan. Initially denying the charges, the trio later admitted during cross-examination to their roles in the child’s death. They were subsequently indicted on charges of murder and causing or allowing the death of Sara Sharif.
The Case
Sara Sharif, a British national, was just 10 years old when her body was discovered at her family’s home in Woking, Surrey, on August 10, 2023. The discovery came a day after her father, stepmother, and uncle fled the UK for Pakistan, reportedly booking one-way tickets before the body was found.
The tragic case gained widespread attention, with Sara’s mother, Olga Sharif, revealing details of her tumultuous relationship with Urfan Sharif. The couple married in 2009 but divorced in 2017. In 2019, Urfan was awarded full custody of Sara and her 13-year-old brother, after which Olga claims she was permitted to see her children only twice.
The verdict has brought some closure to a case that has gripped the public and raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding Sara’s life and untimely death.
